Need a new roof? 4 Ways to plan a roof replacement

Whether you need an emergency roof repair or the old one requires an immediate replacement, nothing can get you out of this crisis better than a plan with a steady budget. As probably know, home roofing, in general, is a considerable and time-consuming process. Fortunately, with the right planning, you can avoid a lot of hassle and ensure a smoother experience. 

Pretty much like everything in life, your home will also suffer various forms of wear and tear along the time. The siding, the drain, and even the paint will all need rejuvenation at some point in their lifecycle. However, the biggest and most essential part in your home, the roof, requires a refresh too. 

While remodeling or replacing your roof can be costly enough, you should start planning as early as possible for a replacement. But in case you feel stuck in terms of planning, here are a few ideas on how to best prepare and plan financially for a roof replacement.  

1. Start Planning

It goes without saying that roofs that are reaching 15 years of age are the primary candidates for replacement. Typically, roofing materials are prone to degradation, which in time can lead to serious home damages as external elements could leak into the structure of your building. To avoid this, experts advise us to create an actionable plan.

However, when working on your plan, you will have to take into consideration a wide range of aspects. This may include the type of pitch and the size of your roof. You will also have to collect necessary paperwork on permits and their costs. Keep in mind that this varies by city and is particularly applicable if you live in a historic town, and your home has a historical value.   

2. Examine Your Roof Condition

Indeed, there is no need for planning a roof replacement if you do not know in what state the roof is actually in. If you don’t know whether it waits to cave in or if it will last for another ten years, our advice is to ask a professional roofing contractor to examine it. A roofing contractor can also help you determine a proper estimate of how long your roof will last and how much you will need to save. 

Apply for a building permit  

A large and complex project like home roofing requires the right building permits. Why do I need a building permit for my roof? These permits ensure that work will abide by local regulation and codes, which, believe it or not, they exist for your own safety. 

Hire a reliable roofing company

A great deal of your replacement project’s success largely depends on your roofing company’s expertise. To make sure everything goes smoothly and stress-free, search for a reliable one for the job. You should check for their existing business address, manufacturer certification, working email and phone number, and even for an updated website.  

3. Choose your roofing material and pick a season

When shopping for roofing material, you will need to bear in mind two selective factors: your area weather patterns and the architectural style of your neighborhood and home. Since your roof is one noticeable design element, it should match perfectly with your home and your neighborhood. Currently, many homeowners opt for asphalt shingles as their main choice of roofing. They come in a huge variety of styles with a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years, and the best part is that they are actually a pretty affordable choice. 

However, there are many other alternatives when it comes to roofing materials, so make sure you stay informed before making a final decision. For instance, while others prefer a more affordable option, those avid to reduce their household carbon footprint are returning to solar tiles. They can produce a kilowatt of power for every 100 square feet leading to substantial savings in terms of electricity. 

There are a few more options you can choose from, such as slate, stone-coated steel, slate concrete and more, but keep in mind that no matter the material you choose, the pitch of your roof, climate, home-style and the roof size is decisive in this matter. 

When to change your roof? A great benefit that comes by planning your roofing is being able to decide when you will do it. If it is not really urgent, maybe it would be best to wait for the summer. However, while most roofers assume that summer is the best period to replace a roof, experienced beliefs show otherwise. It might sound like the perfect plan, but if you want to avoid high demands and pay a premium, early spring is your best choice then. During early spring, most roofers aren’t busy yet, and the weather is suitable enough to install a new roof.  

4. Start Saving

Now that you have chosen your roofing materials, found a reliable contractor and decided upon a season, it is time to do some savings.

Try to figure out a monthly or even quarterly amount you need to set aside in an individual savings account. During this time, make sure you bear in mind the roofer’s quote and the amount of time before you will need to change your roof. This should give you an estimation of the total you need to save regularly.

Maybe roof replacing might seem too costly, but that does not mean it is impossible. Indeed, you might need to make some savings and small changes into your life to boost those savings but just think about all the extra things you have and do not really use or need them.

Finally, do not get hasty when it comes to this sort of project, especially if it is not an urgent matter. This will require great investigation and patience as you can easily fall victim to scammers. Take your time to plan ahead and research whether your contractor or your favorite materials are suitable enough for your needs. Meanwhile, if you’re considering total home remodeling, read this to make sure you finance the renovation the right way.